Antique bible taken from Abbotsford church

An Abbotsford church is seeking the public's help in finding an antique Bible that went missing last month.

Pastor Ron Opmeer said that the leather-bound Dutch Bible, which is believed to have originated in the Netherlands in the early 1800s, probably disappeared from Bethel Reformed Church, at 3260 Gladwin Road, on Saturday, Feb. 22, after it was found missing the following morning. Opmeer said the church was used by the Seventh-day Adventist Church Feb. 22 for a service and lunch.

He said the treasured Bible was likely taken when the Adventist members left for lunch or when the church was opened the next morning by a janitor.

"They (the thief) placed a regular Bible in its place," said Opmeer, noting that the antique Dutch Bible had been on the church stage. "It didn't make any sense."

Opmeer didn't know how much the Bible is worth, but believed it was less than $4,000.

"I've gotten four calls from people saying they think they saw it," Opmeer added, "but nothing came of it."

He said that two people have also offered the church antique Bibles in English to replace it. "It's very generous."

Opmeer said he reported the disappearance to Abbotsford police, but was told they don't investigate such incidents.

Antique bible taken from Abbotsford church

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